Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Abundant in winter and during passage; recently more regular as a breeder. Included in 53.6% of BirdTrack lists, but 58.1% in 2023. (Amber list).
Breeding was confirmed at Priory CP, Broom East, Broom South Quarry and MCP Wetlands NR. Following the effect of avian influenza on the well-monitored Priory CP colony in 2023, it was expected that the number of adults arriving to breed would be lower. However, there were again 250 breeding pairs with 295 young produced.
The highest counts of the year were both at Stewartby Lake, with 10,200 roosting on 20th January, and 13,000 there on 31st December. Other good counts included 816 at Woburn Park on 13th March, 500 at the Priory CP breeding colony during May and June, 1,500 at Broom South Quarry on 23rd August, 1,500 at Stewartby Lake on 29th September, 1,200 there on 19th October, 3,000 there on 7th December and 1,000 at Broom South Quarry on 1st November. A lack of access meant that there were no counts from Brogborough Lake.
